Published: May 30, 2025 | Updated: June 2, 2025
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
From lifestyle changes to medication, you may have tried a variety of solutions to lower your blood pressure numbers. Now, there’s a new option to help decrease dangerous blood pressure (also called hypertension). Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is the first in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to offer a new procedure called renal denervation.
For some patients with high blood pressure, the nerves near the kidneys can become overactive. Applying radiofrequency energy to these nerves can help calm them, thereby reducing blood pressure. The new Symplicity Spyral renal denervation (RDN) system is the only one of its kind offered in the United States.
“We take a very thin tube into the artery that goes to the kidney and send electrical pulses to calm those nerves,” said Matthew J. Sousa, M.D., interventional cardiologist, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute. “It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure that only requires minimal sedation, and the patient can usually go home the same day.”
Elevated blood pressure is a reading above 120/80 mmHg. For some people, blood pressure can reach a seriously elevated level categorized as advanced hypertension. Advanced hypertension, or Stage 2 hypertension, is defined as systolic (the top number) blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. This level of high blood pressure requires serious medical attention. If left untreated, stage 2 hypertension can lead to stroke, heart attack and serious damage to the kidneys, eyes and brain.
Wondering if you should talk to your doctor about a new treatment for blood pressure? Make an appointment to talk to a Norton Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologist.